Houston Texans rookie receiver Vyncint Smith has had a season of hero worship as his entry into the NFL.

The Division II wideout from Limestone College had two receivers that he looked up to growing up in Blythewood, S.C.

“Guys like DeAndre (Hopkins) and Demaryius (Thomas),” Smith told the media Wednesday when asked who he looked up to as wideouts. “I told Demaryius I had him as my background back in 2015. So, that was pretty cool.”

Smith signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent, and he spent his off-season and training camp picking the brain of Hopkins. On Oct. 30, the Texans dealt a fourth-round pick and swapped seventh-round picks for the rights to Thomas.

Over time, as Thomas integrated into the Texans’ locker room, Smith did tell him that he once had him as his phone background.

“We were just laughing about it,” said Smith. “He always jokes that he’s an old guy, but it’s great for me to come in and play with guys that I had as my background.”

Thomas tore his Achilles in Week 16’s 32-30 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. Smith stepped into the role with a 35-yard touchdown catch, his lone reception of the game, that pulled Houston ahead 30-29 with 2:04 to play. The Texans are hoping that Smith can step up for Thomas in the same vein in Week 17 and as far as the team’s playoff journey takes them.

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